By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A fire has broken out at a section of Afriland Towers, which houses a branch of the United Bank for Africa, and other companies in the Marina area of Lagos Island.
The incident, captured in several videos shared on social media from different angles, showed thick smoke billowing from the high-rise building as panic spread across the busy commercial hub.
In one of the clips, some yet-to-be-identified individuals were seen attempting to jump from the storey building, while others were rescued with the aid of a ladder by residents and passersby.
A crowd were spotted at the front of the building as they were seen panicking.
Confirming the incident in a statement, signed by Deputy Controller General, Ogabi Olajide, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said its operatives were battling the fire at the six-storey building located on Broad Street.
“A fire outbreak is currently being battled at a six-storey building on Afriland Tower, Broad Street, Lagos Island. The call was received at 13:38 hours, and fire crews from Ebute Elefun Fire Station and Sari Iganmu Fire Station responded,” it partly read.
It explained that the fire started in the inverter room in the basement before smoke spread across multiple floors and engulfed the structure.
“Evacuation of occupants is in progress, while firefighting operations has been concluded dousing the earlier panic before the arrival of the first responders,” it added.
As of press time, no casualties had been officially confirmed.
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